US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has formally requested that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the agency overseeing the interstate electricity grid, establish new, standardized rules to allow massive electricity consumers like AI data centers and Bitcoin mining operations to connect directly and quickly to the high-voltage transmission system.
Key Takeaways from the Proposal
- Direct High-Voltage Access: Wright's letter, released on Thursday, advocates for bypassing local power lines and connecting these large users straight to the high-voltage transmission system, which offers greater capacity necessary for their high power consumption.
- Addressing Demand Growth: The request acknowledges the "extraordinary pace" of US electricity demand growth, driven significantly by the rapid expansion of these large commercial and industrial loads, especially data centers.
- Expedited Reviews: To accelerate this process, Wright proposed that FERC create a procedure for expedited reviews—aiming for a 60-day turnaround instead of the current wait time of potentially years.
- Applicant Requirement: To qualify for the fast-track review, applicants would need to agree to pay for any required network upgrades.
- Benefit to Industry: Bitcoin mining and AI data centers would directly benefit. S. Matthew Schultz, CEO of CleanSpark, called the signal a recognition of the "value of flexible demand in strengthening the grid."
- Timeline: Wright requested that FERC respond to his proposal by April 30, 2026.
The move is seen as critical for industries like Bitcoin mining, which require significant power to secure the network, and AI centers, highlighting the increasing competition for energy resources and the need for updated grid infrastructure to support future institutional investment.
October 2025, Cryptoniteuae